Patent GB-589177-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to mechanism for launching rocket projectiles
IPC: F41A9/27
Filed: 1944-12-29
Abstract: 589,177. Launching rockets. HYDRAN PRODUCTS, Ltd., and MOTLEY, L. Dec. 29, 1944, No. 26084. [Classes 92 (i)] and 92 (ii)] Rocket projectiles are fed one by one into the firing position at the rear end of a launching tube 1, Fig. 2, and means are provided for positively ensuring that each projectile cannot be fired until the preceding projectile has moved a given distance in its course. In the construction shown in Fig. 2, a cylindrical magazine 4 is disposed at the rear end of the tube and contains a spring-controlled feed element 5, having longitudinal blades forming housings for the projectiles 2. The lowermost projectile in the magazine is in alignment with the launching tube, and when in this position is fired automatically by mechanism such as that described in Specification 588,920. The spring 9, tending to rotate the feed element, surrounds the shaft 11 to which the element is connected and is secured at one end to the element and at the other to a bush 24 which, when in use, is locked against rotation in the magazine wall 8. The shaft 4, hence the feed element, is normally held against rotation by an escapement mechanism, comprising a twoarmed pivoted pawl 14, adapted to engage teeth on an escapement wheel 12, on the shaft 11. When a projectile is launched and has reached a point in the tube 1, it engages with and moves a timing lever 10 mounted on the same shaft 15 as the pawl 14. Such movement enables the feed element to move under the action of spring 9 to bring another projectile into line with the launching tube. In a modification, Figs. 4 and 5 (not shown), the lever 10 is replaced by a cap member which fits over a number of holes in the launching tube, the blast from a launched projectile serving to lift the member thereby to actuate the feed element as described above. In another modification, Fig. 6, the projectile when launched, depresses a pivoted shoe 30, which is connected by a rod 31 to the cocking mechanism to recock the striker, as in Specification 588,920. When the projectile has passed the shoe the latter moves upwards a short distance, where it is held by a spring-controlled latch 33. Thus the striker is not in a position to fire the next projectile. When, however, the launched projectile approaches the end of the tube, it moves a timing lever 34 on a rod 38, and an arm 39 on the rod depresses a pivoted lever 40 which, through a link 42, removes the latch from a notch 32 in shoe 30.- The shoe then returns to the position shown, and in doing so returns the striker to the firing position. A further modification, Fig. 7 (not shown), includes an electrical circuit, generally similar to that shown in Fig. 6 of Specification 588,920, but including two separate circuit making and breaking devices. As each projectile moves to its firing position it moves one of these devices through a step of its rotation to break the firing circuit, and as a launched projectile reaches the end of the launching tube it moves a shoe to produce a step of rotation of the other device to close the circuit.